Prayers requested - Updated (2x)

Господи, помилуй.
Господи, помилуй.
Господи, помилуй.

I am devastated to read this news from Mark (Mapko) in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Благодаря
Николай умира в автомобилна катастрофа неделя 13 септември. Благодаря ви за имейли и телефонни обаждания. Thank you to everyone who has emailed me and called me since Nikolai's death (in car accident late Sunday, September 13). This was a horrible shock. I am so exhausted and it may be a long while before I am able to get back in touch with everyone. I do appreciate everyone's support and kindness.
Публикувано от Марко Фризия в 13:22

Please pray for Mark, their son Radi, and for the repose of Nikolai, Mark's partner and Knight of St George.

Candles before the icons of
St George, St Nikolai (Nicholas), and St Mark

Great Martyr George
Troparion (Second Tone)

O Great among the Saints and Glorious George, since you are a deliverer of captives and a defender of the poor, a physician to the sick and a noble attendant to kings, intercede with Christ God that He may save our souls.

Kontakion (Eighth Tone)

We the faithful who take refuge under your ready and powerful protection implore you, victorious Martyr of Christ, to deliver from all dangers and evils all those who honor you, so that we may cry out to you: "Joy to you, Great-martyr George!"

Our Father among the Saints, Nicholas the Wonderworker
Troparion (Fourth Tone)

O Father and Pontiff Nicholas, the holiness of your life was set before your flock as a rule of faith, an example of meekness and a teaching of temperance; wherefore you acquired greatness through humility and spiritual wealth through poverty. Pray to Christ God that He may save our souls.

Kontakion (Third Tone)

In Myra, you proved yourself to be a priest, a servant of divine things, O Saint, for you fulfilled the gospel of Christ, O Holy One; you gave up your life for your people and saved the innocent from death. You have been sanctified, for you were a great guide towards the things of God.

Holy Apostle Mark the Evangelist
Troparion (Third Tone)

O Holy Apostle Mark the Evangelist, intercede with God all-merciful that He may grant us remission of our sins.

Kontakion (Second Tone)

You were granted from on high the grace to solve the philosophers' problems, to triumph by preaching the divine Gospel to the Gentiles, and to lead them to your Master, O Apostle Mark worthy of all praise!

Here is a recent post on Amictus Sindone, Mark's blog:

19 Август 2009

Nikolai's prayer

Nikolai, who continues on the path of improving his English language skills, offered a verse from a poem by W.H. Auden as our table grace earlier tonight. We had dinner guests (here for movie night cum living room drag show starring Евге́ний Evgeny, the amazing Sarah Palin lookalike from Russia). And they were hanging on his every, heavily-accented word:

Global Mother, keep our
bowels of compassion
Open through our lifetime,
Purge our minds as well;
Grant us a kind ending,
Not a second childhood,
Petulant, weak sphinctered,
In a cheap hotel.

Амин, така да бъде!
Amen, so be it!

I wanted to offer some tribute to Nikolai, soldier, lover, human being. That he should offer such a beautiful prayer to remain ever compassionate speaks volumes to me. His compassion is now opened into the infinite compassion of Most Holy Trinity.

My thanks to Mimi who kindly shared this sad news so more might offer prayers.

Tonight I am re-reading Mark's e-mails and the poems he wrote to Nikolai (they are on his blog but I will not link tonight). So much love and joy.

And now the aching loss.

With the just who have reposed in your peace, grant rest, o Savior, to the soul of your servant and bestow upon it the blessed life which is from You, O Lover of Mankind!

Grant rest within your peace, O Lord, to the soul of your servant.

Within your peace where all your saints repose, grant rest, O Lord, to the soul of your servant for You alone are the Lover of Mankind.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

O Savior, You are our God! You descended into Hades to deliver those who were bound there in suffering; grant rest also to the soul of this your departed servant.

Now and always and for ever and ever. Amen.

O Mother of God, the only Virgin immaculate and pure, in virginity you have given birth to Christ our God; intercede with Him for the salvation of the soul of this your departed servant.

May the memory of Nikolai who is worthy of praise, remain with us forever.

Memory eternal!

Mark, when you finally see this, I want you to know how helpless I feel and how much I want to do something for you. Accept this tribute to Nikolai and to the love between the two of you and to your home and family. My heart and prayers are very much with you.

Update #2:
I want to conclude with what Mimi posted today:

May Nikolai rest in peace and rise in glory.

May God give comfort, consolation, and the peace that passes understanding to Mark, especially, and to all who loved Nikolai. May the all-embracing love of God heal those who grieve for Nikolai.

--the BB